What am I doing wrong?

[DirtDiver]

So, I'm not entirely sure what else I could do in order to attain a BBS/DFS...

I think I am just lacking in the form/technique department. Sorry in advance for the long winded post.

I start off with either a shower or a nice hot towel, and soften and wash/hydrate my face.

Then I bust out the AOS Preshave oil. Apply to face and rub in making sure its all coated.

Mix up either some AOS sandalwood cream or GFT Coconut soap to a respectable lather. (I mix in a bowl, and keep it in a sink of hot water to keep it war, just cuz I likes it warm )

Break out the Muhle and insert the feather, set aside and work in the lather. I start out going WTG nice and slow in short strokes cuz I'm still afraid to cut myself lol, then relather for an XTG pass, rinse off and relather for ATG while feeling around for stubble with my "off hand". No matter how many times I go over certain spots in different directions (neck, jawline near chin etc..) There is this stubborn little stubble that wont go away.

So I rinse off, apply the alum block to said areas since trying so hard to remove it all gave me a nic or two, and clean up. Apply some balm and walk away slightly frustrated, but still with the best shave I have had in 30 years... I am wondering if I need to try the straight on those "trouble areas" but I am afraid of it haha . Actually I'm more worried I'll try too hard and shave off some chin. I want to believe that the BBS is attainable with the DE, especially since I have parts of my face that are, but I keep reminding myself that it's new to me and I need to be patient... Its only been 2 weeks. Anyway, just wanted to vent this frustration. I feel better now.

Anyone else have this problem when they started with a DE?

 

[sychodelix]

Practice. It takes getting the right angle for the razor/blade combination. Let the weight of the razor do the work, no extra pressure. And don't be timid about it. Don't attack your face, but make short, controlled, deliberate strokes. It just takes time and experience. You'll get it!

 

[dpmtherrien]

Just take your time and allow your technique to develop as you go. As long as the shaves are presentable, for now accept the less than perfect shave. As you practice and work at it your shaves will progress pretty quick. Just be sure to lay off of the pressure.

 

[merkur59]

It takes time.
In my own experience, too many variables (too many razors, soaps) delayed my learning experience. It took me a few months to get irritation free shave with a mild razor (coming from cheap cart and electric). It has been 1 1/2 years, and I am still learning tweaks that makes shaving even more enjoyable...

 

[Helzerr]

where are the stubbly spots? I got them for quite awhile on my jawline, then I started J-hooking and voila BBS/DFS all the time. It could also be your blade/razor combo. Feathers give me good shaves, but I get my best ones right now out of Astras. Don't give up the good fight!

+1 for you realizing that even if it isn't a BBS shave it's still better than what you were getting before!

 

[MrLara]

Map your face.

For a lot of men, hair grows in different ways. And you have to on about it differently.

http://www.pbjsite.com/shave/whiskarmap/

 

[DirtDiver]

Map your face.

For a lot of men, hair grows in different ways. And you have to on about it differently.

http://www.pbjsite.com/shave/whiskarmap/

^ THAT is pretty awesome, and quite helpful! And as Helzerr said, it may be the razor/blade combo. I keep switching them to try and find the one i like the best, but I think I should stick with one for a while and see how that goes... Stupid Sampler packs lol

 

[redrako]

Face mapping was tremendously helpful to me when I was stuck where you are now.

I'll add the suggestion of trying to gently stretch you skin away from the trouble area and shaving it then. For example my jawline is challenging, so I gently pull it up towards my cheek or down towards my neck and get instant smooth shave. Remember, no matter what you do, the blade edge is straight edge, your jawline and neck are not straight lines.

 

[BlackBear]

The jawline and just under the chin always seems to be the trouble spot for many (myself included) a bit of J hooking etc seems to work most times, other times I don't let it bother me as it's in a spot that is not really visible.

 

[NCJack]

Experience and practice. Try stretching the skin in a different direction, and not too tight. If I stretch WTG, tightly, it just pull the whiskers down out of the way of the blade. Also, pay attention to the angle of the razor: you might be going parallel or perpendicular without much noticing it. On my little microstubble spots I just need to lightly buff, with plenty of lather kept on the spots.

 

[DirtDiver]

All welcome and helpful advice. I was actually thinking it may have something to do with the skin stretching too... but I kinda of thought I didnt have to since Im not using a STR8. Ill give it a shot in a few days, wanna let it grow in a bit and see if I can examine it better. As it is I have been shaving everyday (what? it's fun)

 

[Craig9802]

I've only been at this a week (3 shaves), and have had similar issues. Heck, I just changed my 1st blade out to prepare for my next shave. Anyway, I'm interested in hearing the responses, since I'm resolved to stick it out for at least another month with the same blade, razor, soap combo to make sure my face adapts before I change anything. I was excited when the mid-cheek area came out BBS today. Unfortunately, I need to figure out my lower neck area and how to avoid the small mole beneath my nose, or finish slicing the bugger off completely. In which case, I'll figure out a good explanation to my daughters as to why Daddy wears half a roll of TP on his upper lip every day...

 

[Porp]

where are the stubbly spots? I got them for quite awhile on my jawline, then I started J-hooking and voila BBS/DFS all the time. It could also be your blade/razor combo. Feathers give me good shaves, but I get my best ones right now out of Astras. Don't give up the good fight!

+1 for you realizing that even if it isn't a BBS shave it's still better than what you were getting before!

This. The J-hooking technique was the silver bullet to my trouble spots. Check out mantic59's "advanced shaving techniques" video on YouTube.

 

[DirtDiver]

where are the stubbly spots? I got them for quite awhile on my jawline, then I started J-hooking and voila BBS/DFS all the time. It could also be your blade/razor combo. Feathers give me good shaves, but I get my best ones right now out of Astras. Don't give up the good fight!

+1 for you realizing that even if it isn't a BBS shave it's still better than what you were getting before!

This. The J-hooking technique was the silver bullet to my trouble spots. Check out mantic59's "advanced shaving techniques" video on YouTube.

This. Why I joined this forum. Good Solid advice (especially if you're a noob like me )

Here's a link for the rest of the newbies who are also lazy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQco5PWc2JU

thanks guys, I'll be sure to give this a try, and go watch some more of his videos

 

[DirtDiver]

Video #1

Introduction to Traditional Wetshaving, Part 1: Concepts

HAHAHAHA This is gold. Cheesiest video on youtube. It reminds me of a video that we weould get on those days when you were all excited to see a VCR in the classroom. (yeah, VCR. I'm 30)

Here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhIy9rgWQU&list=PL2DB6D82F52BA7608&index=1

 

[MrLara]

Video #1

Introduction to Traditional Wetshaving, Part 1: Concepts

HAHAHAHA This is gold. Cheesiest video on youtube. It reminds me of a video that we weould get on those days when you were all excited to see a VCR in the classroom. (yeah, VCR. I'm 30)

Here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhIy9rgWQU&list=PL2DB6D82F52BA7608&index=1

i dislike multi blade razors as much as the next guy, but in the beginning of that video he says:

"Well, i see you've tried the latest gel and razor. But that wasn't much better was it? Nicks and cuts..."

couldn't make out what he said about prices, but i'm sure he meant that they are expensive.

I agree with the prices part, but i have never cut myself with one of those (back when i was using them), no matter how fast i shaved. Mantic is a cool dude though. His videos are good,

 

[gmgaj]

I posted a similar thread about 1 month in to my DE transition, and the best answer I got was "you aren't allowed to ask that question yet." It will come. Just work on your technique, go slow and pay attention to what works and what doesn't.
You didn't specify, but put shampoo/conditioner on your face as prep. I found that to work as good as anything I've tried.

 

[mdarnton]

Get a magnifying mirror and look carefully at those trouble spots. Probably the hairs are growing in a different direction, very locally and need the finally pass to be from a different direction. I have one tiny spot like this on my chin that's just one square cm large growing 90 degrees from everything else around it, for instance. I can go back over it until my skin is gone and still have stubble if I go at it from the wrong direction.

 

[coolbus18]

practice makes better is my guiding thought. Perhaps a blade or shaving soap change? It gets better, so hang in.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

The only way I can get a BBS is to use the "follow the finger" method. With your free hand, drag a finger against the grain and follow immediately behind with your razor.